Hey everyone. I see some people are making their own calls and I'm wondering how to do it. Is it hard? How expensive is it? I'm not looking at making a lot maybe a couple for myself and some friends. I found a website today with game call starter kits for $35 and I was wondering if it comes with everything I need to make one. Here's the link:

The picture in the link is of a deer grunt tube. I didn't see the pic for their duck call, but it does appear that everything is there parts-wise for the grunt tube so the duck call will probably come with everything as well. I like the fact that it comes with a mandrel. Turning a call barrel and stopper is not difficult, it is however, rather expensive to get into unless you have all the machinery and tools to do it already. The difficulty comes when you make the leap to making your own toneboards. There are some good call makers on DHC. For me it's a hobby. If you have any questions you can pm me anytime I'm happy to help.

Here's one of mine in Bocote with a brass band and an echo poly double reed timber insert.

"Fear and dread of you shall be upon the beasts of the earth, and the fowl of the air, all that moves upon the earth, and all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be meat for you." Gen9:2

Well for that much money to only make a few calls for myself and possibly some friends that money ain't worth it especially since I'll probably screw a few up. I'll stick to buying ones that work fine. Thanks though everyone.

Just started getting into it this season myself. Was sick of buying calls to do certain things with different volume and not happy with the results. Decided to just make them to my specifications. Most of the above is the short version of the costs. When you start getting into it, the little things really start to add up. Plan on a grand as a safe bet. Examples:Drill bits (that's an expensive one cause you want quality especially when drilling acrylic inserts), chucks, CA and other finishes, reeds, call bands, blanks (acrylic/wood), lots of sacd paper at different grits, insert jig (or block of aluminum to make your own, etc.

Then you have the big stuff like lathe, drill press, lathe chisels, Dremel tool for touch up work, even wood for a separate work bench. $$$$$, but all worth it in the end. You will second guess your self at first, but once you are making your own calls and you can use the fruits of your labor, it is all worth it. Plus if you know calls and can actually turn one, you can start by selling a few on Craigslist,com and get some or all of that money back. Revisit it when you have some extra cash to use.